Democrats from Coal Dependent States Should Join Inhofe's Effort to Protect Constituents from Skyrocketing Electricity Prices, says National Center for Public Policy Research

Washington, D.C. - Policy experts from the National Center for Public Policy Research are urging bipartisan support for a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) introduced today by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) that will stop implementation of the EPA's Utility MACT rule.

"President Obama is using the EPA to wage a war on coal-fired electricity, which will bring about his promise to make electricity prices skyrocket. It's time for Senators, especially from coal-dependent states, to put their constituents' well-being ahead of party loyalty," said Tom Borelli, Ph.D., director of the National Center's Free Enterprise Project.

Many Midwestern states derive most of their electricity production from coal-fired power plants, with some states getting over 80 percent from coal. Compliance costs from the EPA's Utility MACT and Cross State Air Pollution rules are frequently cited as the reason for closing a significant number of coal-based power plants. The impact of these regulations is expected to cause double-digit increases in electricity prices.

The EPA estimated the Utility MACT rule will cost about $10 billion a year. The added costs will be passed on to consumers and businesses.

"President Obama's war on coal is an attack on hardworking Americans. With gasoline prices already stretching family budgets, the last thing middle, low and fixed income households need are skyrocketing electricity rates. Higher electricity prices will also force jobs overseas," said Deneen Borelli, fellow with the National Center–sponsored African-American leadership group Project 21.

"A recent study found energy costs for half of American households have almost doubled since 2001 taking 20 percent of their aftertax income. Lower-income Americans are hit harder and are least able to handle the additional economic burden from the EPA's new regulations. The Senate must step up and support Inhofe's resolution of disapproval to block the Utility MACT rule," added Deneen Borelli.

Under the CRA, Congress can overturn a regulation if both chambers approve the joint resolution of disapproval by a majority vote and if the resolution is signed into law by the President.

The National Center For Public Policy Research (http://www.nationalcenter.org) is a conservative, free-market, non-profit think-tank established in 1982. It is supported by the voluntary gifts of over 100,000 individual recent supporters, receiving about one percent of its revenue from corporate sources. Contributions to it are tax-deductible.